This time of year Spain becomes a Mecca for British tourists trying to flee the country and get a tan, and whilst some football fans are currently postponing their holiday until after the world cup finishes, now is an ideal time to get away.
Bilbao in the Northern region of the country is the political capital of the nationalistic Basque people who inhabit Spain’s three northern Euskadi provinces. While not being a traditionally beautiful city, its main strength is that it offers an easy gateway to the rest of the country, with access to many attractions within the surrounding countryside and along the coast of the Bay of Biscay.
Bilbao itself is currently undergoing a programme of revitalization beginning with the opening of the controversial Guggenheim Museum in 1997, and visitors can easily experience some good beaches, cubs, bars and a few scenic spots. The regeneration of the city has also lead to the acquiring a new metro system and airport terminal which along with the port facilities help to make it a hub of activity. In addition to the Guggenheim, art lovers can also experience the Museo de Bellas Artes in the Plaza Museo, which houses some fantastic 12th through to 20th century works by Francis Bacon, Picasso, Gauguin, El Greco, Goya and Velazquez
behind its unassuming fa